America's Most Epic Submarines Surfaces Through Thick Arctic Ice

This Is What It Looks Like When One Of America's Most Epic Submarines Surfaces Through Thick Arctic Ice

JEREMY BENDER 

 
19 MINUTES AGO

The submarine surfacing in the picture is the USS North Dakota - the second warship to bear that name.

In the picture, the USS North Dakota is breaking through three feet of solid ice in the Arctic Ocean in order to surface. Some member of the crew, on the far left, disembarked the submarine to grab a quick breather.

It is a nuclear powered vessel, and can carry up to 134 officers and men.

Over the weekend, the U.S. Navy christened its newest nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, the USS North Dakota, during a ceremony in Groton, Conn.

The North Dakota is the newest Virgina-class submarine and the first of the Block III submarines, which is the most recent upgrade. 

The sub has the ability to launch cruise missiles, deliver special operations commandos, and conduct critical surveillance operations over a wide area.

That's why the Navy is producing Virginia-class submarines at a rate of two per year, adding to the 11 currently in the fleet. They may not carry nuclear missiles like the larger Ohio-class submarines, but these are seen as the future.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-navys-expanding-submarine-program-2013-11?op=1#ixzz2sfD2E2Ag